Detachable electrical connector having terminal clamping means



M. R. RATHBORNE DETACHABLE ELECTRICAL. CONNECTOR HAVING- TERMINAL CLAMPING MEANS Sept. 15, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet A1L Filed June 9, 1952 .7 3 5 6 /1 m ,f//f l/,l///f/lI lll/l//z/f 2 IPN A 3 .r. ya

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Bnvcntor Meryyn R. Rnhborne HBRNE 2,652,547 RICAL CONNECTOR MINAL CLANPING MEANS M. R. R DETACHABLE EI..

HAVING TER Sept. 15, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 9, 1952 I y Snuentov Mervyn R.Rmhbome Sepf- 15, 1953 I M. R. RATHBORNE 652,547

DETACHBLE ELECTRICAL CONNEC Y HAVING TERMINAL CLAMPING MEA Filed June 9, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Gttomeg i Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE DETACHABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING TERMINAL CLAMPING MEANS Mervyn R. Rathborne, Half Moon Bay, Calif.

Application J une 9, 1952, Serial No. 292,455

18 Claims. l

rhis invention relates to quick-detachable electrical connectors to be employed with electrical or electronic devices, such as household appliances and radio or television sets, which employ electric power supply couplings, including metallic prongs or plugs and receptacles or sockets into which such prongs or plugs are adapted to be quickly inserted or from Which they may be readily withdrawn.

An important object of the invention is to provide electrical connectors which establish and maintain good electrical connections of low and substantially unvarying resistance.

Another important object is to provide electrical connectors which provide strong mechanical joints between each prong or plug, attached to the power supply conductors, and each contact or terminal within the receptacle or socket into which each prong or plug is inserted.

lStill another important object is to provide electrical connectors which employ a positive mechanical wedging action as means to couple each connector prong or plug to its associated terminal or contact.

A further important object is to provide electrical connectors as last described which permit each wedged prong or plug to be quickly and easily disengaged from its associated terminal or contact.

In both cases, the plugs or prongs are all wedged at the same time and all disengaged at the same time.

Furthermore, an important object is to provide such electrical connectors which do not deteriorate with extended use. The Inew connectors are not dependent for their action upon the pressure or tension produced by a coil spring. Therefore, the possibility of a loose or faulty connection between the prongs of a male plug and the contacts or terminals of a female connector, due to wear upon or deterioration of a coil spring, does not occur. Arcing, due to faulty connections, is substantially eliminated.

Additionally, an important object is to provide electrical connectors which securely wedge a conventional two-wire appliance plug or cap into a screw-type socket or conventional two-wire convenience outlet and thereby tend to prevent such plug or cap from being accidently pulled out of the socket or outlet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this disclosure,` and in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of one form of the new connector, associated with a conventional electrical socket and plug.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the connector of Fig. l, taken on a line substantially from that of the showing in Fig. 1, and with the socket and plug of Fig. 1 removed.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. Li is a vertical section, substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of resilient socket means forming portions of the new connector of Figs. l to l inclusive.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a second form of the new connector, associated with a conventional electrical outlet and a conventional plug.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the connector of Fig. 6, taken on a line substantially 90 from that of the showing in Fig. 6, and with the plug removed.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal section, substantially on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the new connector of Fig. 6 taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of a resilient socket means of the new connector of Figs. 6. to 9 inelusive.

Fig. 11 is a vertical section of a third form of the new connector associated with an electrical socket and an electrical plug.

Fig. 12 is a vertical section of the new connector of Fig. 11, taken on a line substantially 90 from that of the showing in Fig. 11 and with the socket and plug removed.

Fig. 13 is a horizontal section of the connector of Fig. 11, substantially on the line [3 i 3 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a vertical section, substantially on the line M lli of Fig. 11.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown three forms of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A designates the new electrical connector of Figs. 1-5 inclusive; B and C, electrical couplings which may be associated therewith, by way of example; D, the form of the new connectors as shown in Figs, 6-10 inclusive; E and F, electrical couplings which may be associated therewith, by way of example; G, another form of the new connectors, as shown in Figs. ll-li inclusive; and H and K, electrical couplings which may be associated with this form, by way of example.

The new electrical connector A includes a rotatable operating ring or tubular member l providing a wall l5, the outer periphery of which is adapted, as by providing knurling, for grasping by one hand of the user for rotation thereof, and the inner periphery is provided with means for rotatable connection of a wedging cylinder E5 of a Wedging member assembly 25 (to be subsequently described) with the operating ring I5. This means is preferably screw threads l1 of the operating ring I5 and screw threads 31 of the wedging cylinder 26.

At the end face I8 of the operating ring i5 there may be provided a bead I9 extending outwardly therefrom, and the other end face 25 may be bevelled.

The wedging member assembly 25 includes a wedging cylinder 25, less in length than that of the operating ring I5, and less in diameter than the interior diameter of the operating ring, with exterior screw threads 21 in its periphery to cooperate with the screw threads I1. This cylinder 25 has opposite substantially fiat parallel faces 28 and 29. The wedging member assembly 25 also includes a rst disc 30 provided with a plurality (as two) of spaced-apart appliance plug prong-receiving slots or openings 5I, extending therethrough from its outer face 32, and the disc 3E) engages the operating ring I5, at its bevelled end face 26. Furthermore, the wedging member assembly 25 includes a second disc 33, with suitable openings therethrough from its outer face 35 for electrical conductor means to be subsequently described. This disc 33 engages the operating ring at its beaded end face I8, with the wedging cylinder 26 between the two axiallyaligned discs 3E and 33, and the discs and wedging cylinder are inter-connected as by connecting means comprising for example, a pair of rivets 34 (Fig. 2) with an end enlargement of each within suitable recesses 36 in the face 32 of the disc 30 and the opposite end enlargement of each within suitable recesses 31 in the face 35 of the disc 33 and the Shanks of the rivets extending through suitable bores 38, in the discs and wedging cylinder, connecting the recesses 35 and S31. The nt of the Shanks in the bores of the discs is a force nt, but the nt in the wedging cylinder is a loose nt.

From the foregoing it is now clear that the discs 36 and 33, together with the wedging cylinn der move as a unit but, during such movement, the wedging cylinder 26 may travel alternately towards and away from either disc.

The wedging cylinder 26 is provided with a pair of openings 39 extending from face 28 to face These openings have opposite substantially fiat faces 40 which converge toward the face 2&3, and consequently diverge toward the first disc 35, while the other opposite faces 4I are preferably parallel to each other, as in Fig. 4. One opening 39 axially aligns with the transverse axis of one opening or slot 3l of the disc 3B and the other opening 39 axially aligns with the transverse axis of the other opening or slot 3I.

Resilient socket means 45 is provided to receive the prongs of an electrical coupling B, which later may include a two-pronged cap from which the prongs extend and, consequently, two of the means 45 are employed and carried by the openings 39.

Each means 45 comprises three strips of lengths 45, 41 and 4B of resilient electricity-conducting metal, as brass, of a width preferably slightly less than the width between two opposite faces so as to prevent rubbing contact of the strips and these faces. The longer strip 46 comprises an intermediate prong-contacting portion of two substantially parallel elongated parts 43 and 56 having small rounded facing projections 5I intermediate their ends, formed by up-setting or swaging the metal so a small socket 52 is also provided back of a projection, and the spaces between these parts provide continuations, so to speak, of an associated slot 3|, as in Fig. 1. The parts 49 and 50 are joined to elongated parts 53 and 54, by short parts 55 and 56. The parts and 54 diverge toward the associated slot 3I and the ends of the parts 53 and 54, opposite their connections with the parts 55 and 55, are joined to a short part 59 disposed in overlapping relationship. In the spaces between an adjacent part 49 and 53 and 5U and 54 are disposed the strips 41 and 48 respectively. Each strip 41 and 48 comprises a longer portion 69 and two short portions 6I and 62. The portions 6D extend along portions of the parts 53 and 54 respectively and in face contact therewith, the portions 5I extend. along the parts 55 and 56 respectively in face contact therewith and the portions 52 project across the last spaces mentioned and are adaptef to extend into the small sockets 52.

The parts 53 and 54 provide reinforcements for the formed strips 46, particularly the tapered parts thereof, and bear tightly against the projections 5I when the Wedging cylinder is disposed as in Fig. 1, after the prongs 15 are slipped into the slots 3I and between the parts 49 and 5t with the conventional openings in the prongs 15 aecornmodating the projections 5I. (Each of these conventional openings accommodate two of the projections so there are good grips of the parte 43 and 56 upon the prongs; these grips being both resilient grips and latching grips.)

The free end parts of the strip 46 and the part 59 are joined by an approved electricity-conducting connecting and securing means, such as the screw 63 and the rivet 94, both of which ei:- tend through suitable openings in the disc 33, and both of which provide electric conductor means.

It will be noted that, normally, portions of tl e resilient socket means 45 extend through the wedging cylinder 26 and project therebeyond toward the slots 3|, and the parts 53 and 54 con tact the faces 39 and 40 respectively.

From the foregoing and showing in Fig. l, it is clear that, as the wedging cylinder 26 moves toward the disc 30, upon hand rotation of the operating ring I6 the parts 53 and 54 will be progressively forced toward each other and, in turn, force the parts 49 and 5D toward each other, particularly from the projections 5I to their ends adjacent the slots 3 I, whereby prongs within the spaces between the parts 49 and 5I] will be nrmly clamped and good electrical and mechanical connections between the resilient socket means and the prongs will result.

There is shown electrical conductor means as an electrical plug 65 having the usual exterior metallic screw threads 66, providing one electric conductor and terminal and the central rivet G1 with its head 68 providing an electric conductor as well as an additional means to secure the plug body to the disc 33, in the central recess and bore 69 of this disc. The screw threads 5G electrically connected, as by a suitable conductor strip 10 to the conductor screw 63 and the central rivet 61 is electrically connected to the rivet 54 by a conductor strip 1 I.

The body of the plug 55 as well as the operating ring l5, wedging cylinder 2li-and discs 3|) and'BS are of suitable dielectric material or materials.

Associated, by way of example, with'thef plug (i5 is an electrical coupling C' which is'aconventional'electric lamp socket having'a central contact 30 and screw threads 8| forming the other contact and adapted to cooperate with the screw threads B6.

Referring now to Figs. 6-10 inclusive, the electrical coupling form D of the invention includes a rotatable' operating ring or tubular member H5 with the wall i i'thereof having an outer periphery for grasping by the hand of the operator and itsinner periphery provided with screw threads iii to cooperate with screw threads i'i of a wedging cylinder |26 to be subsequently described, and thus providingmeans for rotatable connection of the ring i5 and cylinder |25; One end face ofthe ring i i5 may be bevelledi A wedging member assembly is shown and includes a wedging cylinder |25 lessr in length than that of the operating ring H5 and less in diameter than the interior diameter ofv this ring, with exterior screw threads |21 to cooperate with the screw threads ||l. The cylinder has opiposits, substantially parallel flat faces |23 and The wedging member assembly |25 also includes a first disc it@ provided with a plurality (as two) of spaced-apart appliance prong-receiv ing slots or openings |3| from the outer face |32 thereof, and a second disc or end portion 33 with suitable openings therethrough from its outer face |35 for electrical conductor means to ce subsequently described, and engages the operating ring ||5 at its bevelled end face |25, with the wedging cylinder |26 between the two axiallyaligned discs |30 and |35 and the former and the discs are inter-connected as by connecting means comprising, for example a screw i3d, with the head thereof within a suitable recess in the outer face of the disc |33 and the screw threaded free end portion of the shank of the screw extending through an axial screw-threaded opening in disc i3d. The shank of the screw has a firm L connection with both discs, but there is a loose or free sliding connection between the wedging cylinder |25 and screw Shanks where the screw shanks extend through the wedging cylinder.

From the foregoing it is now apparent 'that the wedging cylinder |26 moves, upon rotation of the operating ring, alternately toward and away from either disc i3@ or |33.

The wedging cylinder |26, is provided with a pair ci openings |359 extending from face |223 to face |29. These openings haveV opposite substantially nat faces |40 which converge toward the face |28, and consequently diverge toward the irst disc |38, while the other opposite faces iii are preferably parallel to each other, as in Fig. S. Cine opening |39 axially aligns with the transverse axis of one opening or slot lti of the disc i3@ and the other opening |35 axially aligns with the transverse axis of the other opening or slot iti.

Resilient socket means is provided to receive the prongs |75 of an electrical coupling which later may include a two-pronged cap from which the prongs extend and, consequently, two

of the means |45 are employed and carried by the openings |39.

Each means |45 comprises three strips of lengths it, ili'l and |48 of resilient electricityconducting metal, as brass, of a width preferably slightly less that the distance apart of a pair of opposite faces |d|4v so there will be no contact of the strips and-these faces. The longer strip |45 comprises an intermediate prong-contacting portion of two-substantially parallel elongated parts |49 and |50' having small rounded facing projections |5|1 intermediate their ends, formed by upsetting or swaging the metal so a small socket |52 is also provided back of a projection, and the spaces between these parts provide continuat'ions, soto speak, of an associated slot |3i, as is clear in Fig. 6'. The parts |49 and |5|l are joined tolelongatedlparts |53 and |545, by short parts |55 and i561 Par-ts: 53 and |54 diverge toward the associated slot |3|` and the ends of the parts |53 and 55d, opposite their connections with the parts and |56, are joined to a short part |53 and disposed in overlapping relationship. In the spacesbetween an. adjacent part |69 and |53 and E5@ and |511 are positioned the strips |4 and llii respectively', a long portion |50 and two short portions ii and: |52; The portions |56 extend along portions of the parts |53 and |5fi respectively and'in face contact therewith, the portions itiv extend. along the parts |55 and |55 respectively in face contact therewith and the portions |52 project across the last spaces mentioned and are adapted to extend into the small sockets |52.

The parts |53 and |54 provide reinforcements for the formed strips |46, particularly the tapered parts thereof, and bear tightly against the projections |5| when the wedging cylinder is disposed las in Fig. 6', after the prongs |l5 are slipped into the slots |3| and' between the parts Mii-i and |56 with the conventional openings in the prongs accommodating the projections isi. (Each: of these conventional openings acconimodate two of the projections so there are good grips of the parts |159 and ld upon the prongs, these grips being both resilient grips and i latching grips.)

Thev free end parts oi the strips ist and the part |59 are joined by any approved electricityconducting means, such as the bolts |153 which, with their nuts |64- are also binding posts for electrical conductorsv and the Shanks of the bolts 53 extend through suitable openings in the disc 33 and provide electric conductor means.

it will be noted that in the gripping or closed condition of the resilient socket means |555, portions of the resilient socket means extend through the wedging cylinder |23 and project therebeyond toward the slots mi, and the parts 553 and |54 contact the faces |39 and it@ respectively.

From the foregoing and showing in Fig. 6, it is clear that, as the wedging cylinder |25 moves toward the disc |30, upon hand rotation of the operating ring ||5 the parts |53 and |54 will progressively forced toward each other and, in turn,V force the parts |49 and |5|3 toward each other, particularly from the projections |5| to their ends adjacent the slots l5 l, whereby prongs within the spaces between the parts M9 and will be firmly clamped and there will be provided good electrical and mechanical connections between the resilient socket means and the There is shown an electrical coupling F, which nay include a pair of conductors |35 and |565 secured to the bolts E63 at the nuts |65 and all enclosed in an outlet box |65' with the disc i secured to the cover it of the box to be spaced therefrom, as by the spaces |67 and held by screw means |68 and |55.

The form G of the new electrical connector shown in Figs. l1 to 14 inclusive, includes a rotatable operating ring or tubular member 2I5 providing a wall 2 I6, the outer periphery of which is adapted for hand grasping for rotation of the ring, and the inner periphery of which is provided with means for rotatable connection with a connector or plug to be subsequently described. rIhis means includes screw threads 211 of the ring 215.

rhe wedging member assembly 225 includes a wedging cylinder 226 less in length than that of the operating ring 2 l 5, and less in diameter than the interior diameter of the ring 2l5. The cylinder has opposite substantially fiat parallel faces 223 and 229.

The assembly 225 also includes a first disc 236 provided with a desired number (at two) of spaced-apart appliance plug prong-receiving slots or openings 231, extending therethrough from its outer face 232, and the disc 236 engages the operating ring 2l5 at one end portion of the latter. There is also a second disc 233, with suitable openings therethrough from its outer face 235 for electrical conductor means to be later described. The two discs are spaced apart, `are axially aligned and the wedging cylinder 226 is disdisposed in the space Ibetween the discs.

The wedging cylinder 226 and discs 236 and 233 are interconnected as by connecting means comprising, for example, a pair of bolts 234 (Fig. 12) with the heads thereof within suitable spacedapart recesses 235 in the faces 232 of the disc 336 with the screw threaded ends thereof in and extending outwardly of the disc 233 (spaced-apart, screw threaded openings in the disc being provided) and the free protruding ends of the bolt shanks being provided with suitable nuts bearing against the outer face 235. Smooth portions of the bolt shanks extend through suitable openings in the wedging cylinder 226 which openings are enlarged to open to the face 229 `and receive end portions of two expansion coil springs 231, encircling portions of the Shanks, and bearing at their other ends upon the inner face of the disc 236, for resiliently urging the wedging cylinder toward the other disc, and forming portions of means to cause the wedging cylinder to move toward the second disc 233 as will be subsequently explained in connection with a plunger 261 to be described.

From the foregoing it is now clear that the wedging cylinder, being of less height than the distance between the inner faces of the two discs, may travel alternately toward and away from either disc.

The wedging cylinder 226 is provided with a pair of openings 239 extending from face 228 t 229 and the openings have opposite, substantially fiat faces 246 which converge toward the face 228 and, consequently, diverge toward the first disc 236, while the other opposite faces 2M of the openings are preferably substantially parallel, as in Fig. 14. The openings 239 axially align with the transverse axes of the openings or slots 23|.

Resilient socket means E5 is provided for the form G, substantially like that of form A and similar reference characters are employed in designating both resilient socket means. The two means 45 are provided to receive the prongs 215 of an electric coupling H, which latter may include a two pronged-cap from which the prongs extend.

There is also shown electrical conductor means as an electrical plug 265 having usual exterior metallic screw threads 266, providing one electric conductor and terminal and the central screw or plunger 261 with its head 268 providing an electric contact and its shank providing an electric conductor as well as means to cause the wedging cylinder to move toward the rst disc 230 upon reciprocation of the plunger or screw 261 in one direction (against the tension of the springs 231) and to move toward the second disc when the screw or plunger 261 reciprocates in the opposite direction. This plunger is secured to the wedging cylinder 226 as by screw threads cooperating with the screw threads of a central socket in the wedging cylinder, and the plunger slides through a suitable central opening in the disc 233 and also slides through a central opening in the body of the plug 265 and normally projects outwardly therefrom. The screw threads 266 are electrically connected with one conductor screw 263 as by conductor strip 216, and the other conductor screw 263 is electrically connected with the plunger 261 as by conductor strip 211.

The body of the plug 265 also includes a skirt portion 212 having screw threads cooperating with the screw threads 211. rlhere is an interior recess 213 in the skirt portion to receive the peripheral portions of the discs 233 and limit movement of the disc toward the plug body.

The body of the plug 265 as well as the ring 2 I 5, cylinder 226, and discs 230 and 233 are of suitable dielectric material or materials.

Associated, by way of example, with the plug 265 is an electric coupling K which is a conventional electric lamp socket having a central contact 286 and screw threads 28| forming the other contact and adapted to cooperate with the screw -threads 266.

Upon screwing the plug 265 partly into the socket of the coupling K, the prongs 215 of the coupling H are inserted into the resilient socket means 45 as far as they will go. The ring 2|5 is held by one hand and the socket housing of the coupling K is held by the other hand, whereupon the connector G is rotated clockwise until the plug 265 is fully within the socket and tightened. This will cause the plunger 261 to force the wedging cylinder toward the disc 236 and, in turn, cause the means 45 to rmly grip the prongs 215, resulting in a good electrical and mechanical connection between the couplings H and K through the connector G.

Reversing the steps will permit the connector G to be detached from the couplings H and K'.

Each of the three forms of the invention includes a rotatable operating ring, a wedging assembly including a wedging cylinder and two spaced apart discs or their mechanical equivalent with the cylinder between the discs and within the operaing ring which latter has openings with certain wall surfaces diverging toward one of the discs (which disc has prong receiving slots or the like aligned with the openings and the cylinder and discs being interconnected). The wedging cylinder carries resilient socket means within the openings and protruding therefrom, which socket means is rigidly supported by the other of the discs (the support means, in each case, also providing electrical conductors). Means is provided to cause the wedging cylinder to move toward and away from the first disc. Upon rotation of the operating ring and this movement of the wedging cylinder will cause the diverging walls to actuate the resilient socket means to either grip or release the prongs. The operating rings are in sliding contact with the slotted discs which latter, however, are adapted to maintain fixed distances at all times with the other discs and provide dielectric closures or guards for the interior `of the connectors as well as limit movements of the wedging cylinders in one like direction. The socket means, in each form, includes apair of upset `or swaged projections in a metallic strip, adapted to fit into the conventional openings in the prongs of electric plugs or caps and the hollows of the projections from sockets for J`portions of Ythe socket means. Moreover, all the socket means are constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of the wedging cylinders at both like opposite lfaces thereof and contact the second discs which latter provide firm lbases for the socket means.

Various changes may be made to the forms of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of vthe invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A detachable .electrical connector including a rotatable operating ring having means exteriorly thereof for grasping the ring for rotating the same; a wedging member assembly including a first disc provided with -a pair Vof spacedapart appliance plug prong-.receiving elongated openings, a second disc spaced from and Vaxially aligned with the first disc, a wedging cylinder in a part of the space between said discs and within a said operating ring, and Aprovided with a pair of spaced-apart socket means-receiving QDcnings,

.the last mentioned openings having `wallsurfaces diverging toward said first disc, with one of said last-named openings axially aligned vwith the transverse axis of one of the first-,named openings and the other of said last-named openings axially aligned with the transverse axis of the lother of said first-named openings, resilient socket means to receive said prongs, including resilient wall portions, of electricity-conducting material, diverging towards said first disc, means interconnecting said wedging cylinderand discs, with said discs spaced apart a like `distance at all times, and support means'rigidly supporting said socket means upon said second ;disc to Vextend through said wedging cylinder and outwardly thereof towards said firstrdisc, withsaid resilient wall portions in contact with the wall surfaces of said socket means-receiving openings; means tocause said wedging cylinder to move Atowards said iirst disc upon rotation of said operating ring in one direction and to move away from said first disc upon rotation of said operating ring in the other direction; and electrical conductor means electrically connected with said socket means.

2. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said rotatable operating ring is in sliding contact with one of said discs during rotation of said operating ring.

3. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the height of said operating ring is substantially greater than the height of said wedging cylinder, and the facing faces of said discs are spaced apart a shorter distance greater than the height of said wedging cylinder.

e. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said support means is of electricity conducting material and provides the electrical connection between said conductor means and said socket means.

5. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said resilient socket means also includes a pair of substantially 10 parallel resilient wall portions, connections between and spacing apart all of said wall portions, and a reinforcing member bearing against associated spaced-apart diverging and paralleling wall portions.

6. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said resilient socket means also includes a pair of substantially parallel resilient wall portions, connections between and spacing apart all of said wall portions, and a reinforcing member bearing against associated spaced-apart diverging and paralleling wall portions, and each of said substantially parallel wall portions facing another of said substantially parallel wall portions, and having a projection facing a like projection of the facing substantially parallel wall portion to be received in the conventional opening in a conventional electrical appliance prong.

'7. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said resilient socket means also includes a pair of substantially parallel resilient wall portions, connections between and spacing apart all of said wall portions, and a reinforcing member bearing against associated spaced-apart diverging and paralleling wall portions, and each of said substantially parallel wall portions facing another of said substantially parallel wall portions, and having a projection and a socket with said projection facing a like projection of the facing substantially parallel wall portion to be received in the conventional opening in a conventional electrical appliance prong, and a member of resilient material bridging each associated diverging wall portion and parallel wall portion and extending into the socket of said parallel wall portion.

8. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l, characterized in that said wedging cylinder has opposite substantially parallel outer faces, one facing one disc and the other facing the other disc, and said openings in said wedgiiig cylinder extend from one of said faces to the other of said faces, and said socket means is constructed and arranged to extend outwardly of both faces and tc contact said second disc at all times.

9. A detachable electrical connector according to claim l characterized in that one of the movements of said wedging cylinder is a rotary one and said means to cause said wedging cylinder to move comprises exterior screw threads of said wedging cylinder and interior screw threads of said operating ring.

10. A detachable electrical connector including a rotatable operating member having means exteriorly thereof for grasping the member for rotating the same; -a wedging member Vassembly including a nrst disc provided with a pair of spaced-apart appliance plug prong-receiving elongated openings, a second disc spaced from and axially aligned with the first disc, a wedging element in a part of the space between said discs and within said operating member, and provided with a pair of spaced-apart socket means-receiv- `ing openings, the last-named openings having wall surfaces diverging toward said lrst disc, with one of said last-named openings axially aligned with the transverse axis of one of the first-named openings and the other of said lastnamed openings axially aligned with the transverse axis of the other of said nist-named openings, resilient socket means to receive said prongs, including resilient wall portions, of electricityconducting material, diverging towards said first disc, means interconnecting said wedging element and discs, with said discs spaced apart a like distance at all times, and support means rigidly supporting said socket means upon said second disc to extend through said wedging element and outwardly thereof towards said rst disc, with said resilient wall portions in contact with the wall surfaces of said socket means-receiving openings; means tc cause said wedging element to move towards said rst disc upon rotation of said operating member, in one direction and to move away from said first disc upon rotation of said operating member in the other direction; and electrical conductor means electrically connected with said socket means.

11. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that said means to cause said wedging element to move comprises interior screw threads cf said operating member and cooperating exterior screw threads of said wedging element.

12. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 10 characterized in that said electrical conductor means includes a plug associated with said second disc and having a body, electricity conducting screw threads for electrical connection with the interior screw threads of a conventional electric lamp socket and an electric terminal assembly or electrical connection with the conventional electric terminal of said conventional lamp socket.

13. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 10 characterized in that said electrical conductor means includes a plug rigidly carried by said second disc and having a body, electricity conducting screw threads for electrical connection with the interior screw threads ci a conventional electric lamp socket and an electric terminal assembly for electrical connection with the conventional electric terminal of said conventional lamp socket.

11i. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 1) characterized in that said electrical conductor means includes a plug rigidly carried by said second disc and having a body,

electricity conducting screw threads for electrical f connection with the interior screw threads of a conventional electric lamp socket and an electric terminal assembly for electrical connection with the conventional electric terminal of said conventional lamp socket, and said support means includes a rigid connection between said socket means, said second disc and said plug.

15. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 19 characterized in that said means interconnecting said wedging element and said discs comprises an elongated rigid member supporting said discs in fixed spaced apart relationship and with said wedging element movable along said rigid member.

16. A detachable electrical connector accord'- ing to claim 10 characterized in that said means interconnecting said wedging element and said discs comprises an elongated axially disposed rigid member supporting said discs in fixed spaced apart relationship and with said wedging element rotatable with said rigid member.

17. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 10 characterized in that said electrical conductor means includes a plug associated with said second disc and having a body, electricity conducting screw threads for electrical connection with the interior screw threads of a conventional electric lamp socket and an electric terminal assembly for electrical connection with the conventional electric terminal of said conventional lamp socket, and said electric terminal assembly comprises a plunger slidable through said plug body, having an electrical terminal at its outer end and being rigid with said wedging element at its inner end, the last-named electric terminal being normally spaced from the outer end of said body, and resilient means normally urging said wedging element toward the second disc.

18. A detachable electrical connector according to claim 10 characterized in that said electrical conductor means includes a plug associated with said second disc and having a body, electricity conducting screw threads for electrical connection with the interior screw threads of a conventional electric lamp socket and an electric terminal assembly for electrical connection with the conventional electric terminal of said conventional lamp socket, and said electric terminal assembly comprises a plunger sldable through said plug body, having an electrical terminal at its outer end and being rigid with said wedging element at its inner end, the last-named electric terminal being normally spaced from the outer end of said body, and resilient means normally urging said wedging element toward the second disc, said resilient means comprising an expansion coil spring bearing at one end against the inner face of said first disc and at its other end against that portion of said wedging element most remote from said second disc.

ll/IERV YN R. RATHBORNE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,202,923 Trood Oct. 3l, 1916 1,387,814 Ten Bosch Aug. 16, 1921 2,126,674 Stout Ang. 5, i913 

